Stone Brewing Coffee Milk Stout and Xocoveza Make Seasonal Return

Posted on by mashingin

coffeemilkstout_12ozwebStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) has clearly embraced the changes in temperature this month by releasing two seasonal Stouts, Stone Coffee Milk Stout and Stone Xocoveza Winter Spiced Mocha Stout.

Stone Coffee Milk Stout is an English-style Milk Stout that “is making coffee drinkers rethink their coffeehouse cold-brew ritual.”  To ensure only the freshest ingredients are used in the creation of this beer, batches of Stone Coffee Milk Stout produced on the West Coast use coffee beans sourced from San Diego’s Ryan Bros. Coffee while batches brewed at Stone Brewing’s new Virginia brewery rock beans from Richmond’s Lamplighter Coffee Roasters.  This mild, smooth and easy-drinking Stout has a “slight bitterness of the slow-roasted coffee . . . balanced out brilliantly by milk sugar for a touch of sweetness and creaminess.”

“This beer is very smooth and well balanced, and we love using coffee from our friends over at Ryan Bros. and Lamplighter,” explained Jeremy Moynier, senior innovation program manager. “The combination of bitter coffee and sweet flavors with the smoothness of this beers works well with a diverse selection of food.”

xoco12oz_bottle_webReturning for its third year, Stone Xocoveza quickly ascended to fan-favorite status the moment it first hit shelves and taps.  There is absolutely no mystery as to why when you consider that this Winter-spiced Mocha Stout is boasting aromatics and flavors of fine chocolate, Mostra coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and milk sugar to create “a harmoniously balanced beer strikingly reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate.”  To get those chocolate notes absolutely on point, the folks at Stone Brewing tracked down the perfect cocoa beans in Belize.  The beans were then roasted and processed into chocolate bars created exclusively for use during the brewing of Stone Xocoveza.  With each sip taken, you will find that a ridiculous amount of attention to detail was employed in the creation of this Stout.

“The quality of our house-made chocolate is out of this world, making this year’s Stone Xocoveza more rich and festive than ever,” said Moynier. “I love the warm aromas and flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and pasilla peppers, and they’re complemented perfectly with the strong malt bill and German Perle and English East Kent Golding hops.”

Stone Coffee Milk Stout and Stone Xocoveza are both available now as seasonal releases.  Look for these offerings on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles at craft beer friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida, and throughout Stone Brewing’s national distribution footprint.  The cold weather is coming . . . you might as well drink like it by picking up a sixer of each of these delicious Stouts.  Prost!

Vital Information on Stone Coffee Milk Stout from Stone Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, beginning October 3
Style – English-style Milk Stout
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 40
Hops – Magnum
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and draft
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI and Puerto Rico

Vital Information for Stone Xocoveza from Stone Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, beginning October 3
Style – American Stout
ABV – 8.1%
IBUs – 50
Hops – German Perle & English East Kent Golding
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and draft
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI and Puerto Rico

Stone Brewing Releases Enjoy By 10.31.16 Tangerine IPA

Posted on by mashingin

103116_enjby_hero_webStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) recently announced that Stone Enjoy By 10.31.16 Tangerine IPA has officially arrived to take care of all of your Halloween libation needs.

To standout from a market that is currently overcrowded with pumpkin-spiced brews, Stone Brewing is taking a different approach by releasing Stone Enjoy By 10.31.16 Tangerine IPA as their Halloween-themed offering.  This variation starts with a foundation of the 12 hop varietals found in the regularly released beers from the Stone Enjoy By IPA Series, and then amps up the citrus notes thanks to the addition of “a hefty amount of puréed tangerines.”  This treatment creates “upfront aromas of citrus and fruit . . . followed by a nice hop bitterness and hints of alcohol warmth.”

“Nothing is better than our Stone Enjoy By IPAs tasted fresh, right off the bright tank, and we want our fans to be able to share that experience,” said Jeremy Moynier, senior innovation program manager. “Our brewing team is especially proud of this beer. Twelve varietals of hops are perfectly balanced with puréed tangerines to give this beer some serious aroma and flavor. This is a great spin on Stone Enjoy By IPA!”

Stone Enjoy By 10.31.16 Tangerine IPA officially headed out to distribution on September 26th and will be available through the month of October (while supplies last).  Look for this one in 22 oz. bombers, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer retailers in Alabama, Florida and throughout Stone Brewing’s national distribution area.  This offering is meant to be consumed fresh, so be sure to finish these bombers off by Halloween.  Prost!

Vital Information for Stone Enjoy By 10.31.16 Tangerine IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, beginning September 26
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 9.4%
IBUs – 90
Hops –  Nugget, Super Galena, Simcoe, Amarillo, Delta, Target, Cascade, Citra, Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, Motueka & Helga
Availability – 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, & on draft
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA & WI

Stone Brewing Co. Launches Vanilla Bean Porter, Cabin Fever Mixed 12 Pack

Posted on by mashingin

2016_vanillabean_mock_printStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) announced this week that they are releasing Stone Vanilla Bean Porter as an exclusive offering to be found in the new Stone Cabin Fever Mixed 12 Pack.

As summer shifts to autumn and temperatures begin to dip, there is a tendency for beer lovers to seek comfort and refuge in full-bodied styles such as Porters and Stouts.  To honor this annual transition of stylistic preference, Stone Brewing is debuting Stone Vanilla Bean Porter to pair beautifully with “post-mountain hot-tub dips, roaring fires, bear skin rugs, and someone special for…you get the idea.”  Brewed with whole Madagascar vanilla beans, this rich Porter rocks an alluring vanilla aroma that is gracefully complemented by “a delicate creaminess and palate-seducing softness.”  Chocolate malts then provide supportive notes of cocoa and coffee to add another level of decadence.  Coming in at an incredibly reasonable 5.9% ABV, Stone Vanilla Bean Porter is an extremely drinkable option to be enjoyed all season long.

“We have played with many ingredient additions in our porters over the years and love the versatility of this beer,” said Jeremy Moynier, Senior Manager, Innovation Program and Supply Chain. “We first added vanilla beans back in 2006 in a cask and loved the results so much we would do small runs of this beer from time to time. Recently we tried out this new version through our pilot system to see what our fans thought and we got our best response to date! It seemed obvious to do it on the large scale to get it out there so even more people could enjoy it.”

Stone Vanilla Bean Porter is available in 12 oz. bottles found exclusively within the newly released Stone Cabin Fever Mixed 12 Pack – joining Stone Coffee Milk Stout, Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0 and Stone Delicious IPA in the pack – and on draft.  Look for this offering and the mixed 12-pack at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida and other markets within Stone Brewing’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Stone Vanilla Bean Porter from Stone Brewing Co.

Availability – Limited/Seasonal, officially released on September 19
ABV – 5.9%
IBUs – 53
Hops – Chinook, Magnum, Idaho 7, Motueka & Azacca
Packaging – 12 oz. bottles found exclusively in Stone Cabin Fever Mixed 12 Pack and on draft
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA and WI
Fun Fact – Whole Madagascar vanilla beans are the world’s second most expensive spice.

Tasting Notes: Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

encorecrown_web2This segment of Tasting Notes gets in on a celebration twenty years in the making by taking a look at Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California).

While looking for the inspiration for a beer worthy of commemorating “20 years of revolutionary brewing,” the folks at Stone Brewing Co. did not have to look much further than the Citracado Parkway running alongside the brewery.  The parkway itself is a tribute to the citrus and avocado agricultural history of the area, so why not brew a beer with a similar theme?  Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA pulls this off by utilizing Citra hops and avocado flower honey to produce “dominant orange and floral aromatics that transcend into the overall flavor.” This limited release offering is available now on draft and in 22 oz. bottles at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida, and all other markets nationwide where Stone Brewing beers are sold.  If you would like to learn more about Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA, you can click here to check out the release profile I posted a few weeks ago.  As for now, this beer is calling for me to serve it up and get to these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Appearance: Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA pours a copper hue that displays deep oranges and the lightest/brightest browns possible.  When held to direct light, the beer illumes a bit to push more vibrant oranges through the body and displays a consistent carbonation activity residing within.  Two fingers of off white, chunky and thick head adorns the top of the brew.  Head retention is great, slowly but eventually falling a bit to a lasting finger of foam.  The only reason the head falters is because it has so much stick on the glass, leaving abundant lines of lace after each sip.

Aroma: Oh, yes . . . the beautiful and unmistakable aroma of Citra hops surges from the glass.  Big citrus hop notes of orange zest and the sweet, juicy meat of the fruit lure you in with ease.  A floral note cleanly interlaces itself with the citrus to lift the aromatic profile to an even higher level of freshness.  Although the hops easily steal the show here, a light hint of honey can be recognized.  The sugary qualities are light enough to complement the hops by further sweetening the fruit notes.

Taste:  There is a hop dankness that is not at all shy in the flavor of this beer.  Citrus hops once again dominate with notes of orange, lemon and grapefruit.  Pine pushes that dankness forward with a tinge of resiny sharpness.  A floral hop quality blends in and creates a seamless transition into the avocado flower honey.  The honey pulls the malts up to the surface a bit to produce an insanely smooth balance.

Mouthfeel:  This Double IPA falls on the heavier side of medium in body with a medium carbonation level.  Silken in texture, it has some stickiness to it on the palate but it dries out quickly to produce an amazingly clean sip.  I honestly cannot believe this brew comes in at 9% ABV because there is zero evidence of that sizable alcohol level found.  The aftertaste is just a tinge of orange and honey.

Final Thoughts: I am not going to beat around the bush here . . . Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA is easily one of the best Double IPAs I have had this year.  The fine line between aggression and restraint is gracefully traversed to present these hops in beautiful fashion. Furthermore, the decision to use avocado flower honey was an inspired and elegant choice to give this beer an unrivaled level of balance.  The most impressive feat achieved here is the complete removal of any trace of a very considerable 9% ABV.  This attribute makes the beer one of the easiest drinking Double IPAs I have ever encountered.  In summation, this is a beer that pulls no punches but still has a level of disciplined restraint to not be all haymakers either.  Confident and calculating, Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA embodies the true spirit of Stone Brewing Co.  If you are going to create a beer that reflects upon 20 years of top tier brewing reputation, this is indeed how you do it.  Finely crafted and just a joy to drink.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Stone Mocha IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

stonemochaipaThis week’s Tasting Notes seeks a new twist on the IPA style by taking a look at Stone Mocha IPA from Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California).

Stone Mocha IPA is a new seasonal that Stone Brewing Co. added to their lineup of packaged offerings this year.  Inspired by Aleman / Two Brothers / Stone DayMan Coffee IPA and Stochasticity Project Master of Disguise Golden Stout, Stone Brewing’s Liberty Station Brewing Manager Kris Ketcham first created this beer back in 2015 and it was an instant hit with the brewery’s fans.  It was soon decided that it needed to be shared with craft beer enthusiasts across the country, and Stone Mocha IPA’s cocoa, coffee and hoppy goodness was officially released into distribution on draft and in 12 oz. bottles beginning in June.  This alluring and unique brew can still be found on shelves at some craft beer-friendly retailers within Stone Brewing’s distribution area, but be sure to act quickly because its “Enjoy By” date is fast approaching.  I’m going to go ahead and take my own advice here and get into this brew for some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Stone Mocha IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Appearance: Stone Mocha IPA pours a honey-like, copper in color with deep orange hues residing throughout.  The oranges gain intensity when presented with direct light and the copper gains luster.  The body is clear with a moderate carbonation stirring within.  The pour produced a finger of light tan foam that has some pretty decent retention to it.  Over time, it does gracefully fall to a thin but complete frothy top cap that leaves some chunky lace on the glass.  This brew does come across darker than typical Double IPAs, but that should be expected with the added coffee and cocoa.  That said, it certainly presents itself in wonderful fashion.

Aroma: Coffee is the first note to hit the nose, but it is not exactly the heavily roasted and robust variety you may find in some coffee Stouts and Porters.  No . . . this is a coffee character reminiscent of more exotic beans that produce floral and fruity tones.  Shifting gears, a dark cocoa note coaxes the malts out to actually make an appearance at this DIPA party by contributing a floral honey sweetness.  The hops then go to work to finish off the aromatic profile with citrusy tones of orange and tangerine.

Taste:  Wow . . . it shouldn’t be a surprise, but complexity certainly abounds here.  Each flavor experience pings the palate in a quick, staccato manner to keep your mind and taste buds both guessing and completely entertained.  Cocoa strikes first with a dark chocolate note that easily complements any bitterness from the approaching hops.  The mocha quality of the coffee joins in next and has both bitterness and sweetness.  This double duty allows the coffee to apply contrasting and complementary aspects to both the cocoa and hops.  Speaking of hops, they wrap things up with a vast array of citrus fruitiness that somehow plays nicely with the coffee.  Although each and every flavor in this beer is zealous and forward, they all seem to come together effortlessly.  In perceived chaos we find harmony.

Mouthfeel: This brew is medium in body with a medium level of carbonation that allows the beer to have a creamy and delightfully soft texture.  The ABV of this Double IPA does flex some muscle at 9%, but the level of warmth is comely and comforting.  The beer brings both bitterness and sweetness to the palate, but neither is too heavy or lasting.  The aftertaste is just a wisp of citrus hops and coffee.

Final Thoughts: Coffee IPAs are becoming more and more en vogue these days, and I personally welcome this trend.  Although the idea of these flavors mingling together may sound strange or even off-putting to some, beer lovers should recognize that this combination works beautifully in both theory and practice.  Coffee, chocolate and hops function well together because they all can share one common trait: bitterness.  This attribute brings them together but the richness of the cocoa, the comforting familiarity of the coffee, and the bright citrus hoppiness are all allowed to shine individually.  Stone Mocha IPA not only displays all of this with grace and ease, but it also captivates its drinker with each sip by providing an incredibly fresh and dynamic experience.  Simply fantastic.  Prost!

Stone Brewing Continues Encore Series with Re-release of 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale

Posted on by mashingin

encore_020202heroStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) recently announced that Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale is making a much anticipated return to shelves and taps this month as a part of the brewery’s Encore Series.

In order to properly commemorate the brewery’s 20th Anniversary, Stone Brewing is celebrating all year long with a lineup of revived fan and brewery-favorite one-off offerings as a part of their Encore Series.  Is there a better way to do so than to bring back one of the brewery’s most elusive offerings from what is likely their most popular series? The folks at the brewery believe this is exactly the approach to take by allowing Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale to officially make its return.

Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale was originally produced in 2002 as the first beer released in the eleven-part, “groundbreaking, millennium-inspired” Vertical Epic Series. This Imperial Belgian-style Wit is brewed with “an infusion of orange peel, coriander, a sprinkling of black pepper and a healthy dose of Centennial hops.”  This carefully crafted recipe boasts aromatic notes of “rose, peach, bubblegum, citrus peel, and light spice” working in unison with a flavor profile of “white wine, honey-dew melon, citrus, orange, and a lingering, mild-spicy finish.”  Only 300 cases were originally released back in 2002, and this dynamic brew was such a hit with fans that it became one of Stone Brewing’s most highly sought after beers.  Thanks to the Encore Series, craft beer fans can finally get their hands on a bottle to ” taste what was the start of something truly epic.”

20th Anniversary Encore Series: Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale is available now as a limited offering.  Look for it in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida and across the nation within Stone Brewing’s distribution area.  It may not disappear as quickly as the first release, but the Encore Series release of Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale certainly will not be around forever.  Be sure to celebrate Stone Brewing’s 20th Anniversary in proper fashion and get your bottles while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing Co.

Availability – Limited, Encore Series. Officially released on September 5
Style – Belgian-style Strong Ale
ABV – 7.5%
IBUs – 40
Featured Hops – Centennial
Other Ingredients – Sweet orange peel, Curaçao orange peel, coriander & black pepper
Packaging – 22 oz. bottles and on draft
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, DC, Puerto Rico

Still Unapologetic IPA Returns as Part of Stone Brewing Encore Series

Posted on by mashingin

2016_EncoreUnapologetic_Hero_WebStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) announced this week that Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA is the latest offering in their 20th Anniversary Encore Series.

The 20th Anniversary Encore series is a chance for the folks at Stone Brewing to revive some fan-favorite one-offs that they have brewed over the last two decades, and Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Unapologetic IPA was absolutely a hit with hopheads when it was originally released in 2014.  This collaboration once again reunites Heretic Brewing Company owner and Brewmaster Jamil Zainasheff and Beachwood Brewing Brewmaster and co-owner Julian Shrago with the Stone Brewing team to brew a new version of the 2014 release.

“Our brewing team had a great time collaborating with Jamil and Julian to create this recipe,” said Jeremy Moynier, senior innovation program manager. “It instantly became a fan favorite, so we were thrilled for the opportunity to bring this back under our Stone 20th Anniversary Encore Series. Given how tasty this beer was the first time around, we decided to keep most of it the same save for incorporating some different hop varietals to up the hop intensity.”

In keeping with the collaborators’ “affection for over-the-top, hoppy beers,” Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA starts with Chinook and Magnum hops early in the brewing process to impart “earthy, piney and resiny overtones.”   Azacca and Motueka are utilized as late kettle additions and in the dry-hop stage to add “prevalent citrusy and berry aromatics that transcend into the overall flavor.”  Idaho 7, a new hop varietal, also makes an appearance in this brew to contribute herbal and tropical fruit notes.  Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA comes together as an 8.8% ABV Double IPA boasting a “myriad of aromas and flavors that flourish against the mild body provided by the malt bill.”

Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA has officially headed out to Alabama, Florida and other select markets within Stone Brewing’s distribution area.  Look for this limited offering to turn up at craft beer-friendly establishments in 22 oz. bottles and on draft.  This beer is meant to be consumed as soon as possible, so grab a bottle when you see it and enjoy immediately.  Prost!

Vital Information on Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, available beginning August 22
ABV – 8.8%
IBUs – 85
Hops – Chinook, Magnum, Idaho 7, Motueka & Azacca
Packaging – 22 oz. bottles & draft
National Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT and WA

 

Tasting Notes: Who You Callin’ Wussie Pilsner from Stone Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

IMGP3395_editedThis week’s Tasting Notes gets a little arrogant as we take a look at Who You Callin’ Wussie Pilsner from Stone Brewing Co./Arrogant Brewing (Escondido, California).

Who You Callin’ Wussie comes to us by way of Stone Brewing’s side project known as Arrogant Brewing, a splinter brewing project that focuses on the brash intensity of the Arrogant Bastard line and newly developed beers full of liquid arrogance.  Who You Callin’ Wussie is the newest year-round offering from Arrogant Brewing and this Pilsner absolutely pulls no punches.  The purpose of Wussie is to take back the Pilsner by proving that this style can be so much more than the “gutted . . . soulless and anemic . . . fizzy yellow” product that “tyrannical industrialized beer overlords” produce and peddle.  Wussie is a Northern German Pilsner that spares no expense to utilize only the finest ingredients to create a 5.8% ABV lager that forces you to take another look at this style.  This year-round offering is available now in Alabama, Florida and throughout Stone Brewing’s national distribution footprint.  Look for it at craft beer-friendly establishments in 6-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.  With that background info now covered, let’s open a can of arrogance and take some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Who You Callin’ Wussie Pilsner from Stone Brewing Co./Arrogant Brewing

Appearance:  Who You Callin’ Wussie emerges from the darkness of this matte black can as a bright golden liquid.  Held to direct light, the gold color gains more depth and some brighter, lemony yellow hues force through as well.  The body is incredibly clear with a medium to high carbonation level coursing throughout.  The pour produced two fingers of bubbly, perfectly white foam that has moderate retention.  This head fades slowly during the experience to eventually settle in as a thin but complete top cap.  The foam grips the glass with authority, leaving a notch after every sip taken.  Without a doubt, this beer nails the look.

Aroma:  The surprises start here as the signature Pale & Pilsner malts you expect from the style are clear and right up front.  Lightly sweet, a touch toasty, and absolutely representative of a Pils.  Things kick up a bit from there when the hops join the party.  Earthy and floral to start, the hops then gain a bit of spiciness.  The aromatic profile rounds off with a kiss of citrus and some lemongrass.  Everything here is pretty balanced as the malts and hops get equal attention.  Arrogant? Maybe.  Selfish?  Negative.

Taste:  Seriously . . . the first sip takes me right back to Germany.  Sure, the hops turn up first in the flavor profile and they bring a bit more bite than a “traditional” Euro-brewed Pils.  That said, they are also a hell of a lot more restrained than you would expect from a beer coming out of a Stone Brewing facility.  The hops are floral, bring a touch of spicy bite, earthy overall, but still have just a bit of citrus behind them to bring things stateside.  The malts then push their way forward to give you all the grain goodness you want from a Pils.  Grain is absolutely the word here, lightly toasted and a bit sweet.  The malts share the spotlight evenly and Wussie is sporting nothing but damn fine Pilsner flavor.

Mouthfeel:  This lager is light in body with a high carbonation level to achieve as much drinkability possible.  The ABV sitting at 5.8% does have a touch more presence than I hoped and it does lend a bit of heat at times.  The beer dries out clean and fast, easily coaxing you to take another gulp.  The aftertaste is minimal, but earthy hops and light malts linger just long enough to remind you they were there.

Final Thoughts: To be completely honest, when I first heard that this beer was being brewed I was a little worried that the folks at Stone Brewing would over-hop it to level of the now commonplace India Pale Lagers being brewed these days.  My fears were eased immediately because that is absolutely NOT the case when it comes to Who You Callin’ Wussie.  This beer is clearly a study in German brewing tradition with just a grace of Stone Brewing personality and arrogance infused along the way.  The only gripe I can come up with here is the alcohol presence, but that is truly a reach just to find at least one flaw.  Wussie comes together with effortless confidence to be a beautiful Pils and something that I could definitely get used to being brewed by more craft breweries over time.  Revisit the past and respect tradition, but have enough arrogance to make it your own in the process.  That pretty much sums up what this beer achieves.  Prost!

Stone Brewing marks 20th Anniversary with Citracado IPA

Posted on by mashingin

citracado_hero_webTo recognize quite the milestone, Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) has announced the release of Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA this week.

With two decades of celebrated craft brewing experience in the books, the folks at Stone Brewing believe they have the perfect beer in Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA to mark such an occasion.  The name “Citracado” not only references the featured ingredients in this beer – Citra hops in the dry hop stage and native avocado flower honey -, but it also “pays homage to the [Citracado Parkway] on which the flagship brewery is located (“which itself is a tribute to the citrus and avocado agricultural history of the region”).  This unique recipe creates “dominant orange and floral aromatics that transcend into the overall flavor and are perfectly balanced by avocado flower honey and a strong malt backbone.”  Be sure to sip and savor this one because this bad boy comes in at a sizable 9% ABV.

“Thanks to the incredible support from our fans, we have been able to do what we do for the last 20 years while upholding our rugged independence and core company philosophies,” said Stone CEO & co-founder Greg Koch. “We’re excited to close in on two full decades of high-quality brewing, and Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA is our special way of saying thank you to all craft beer supporters. Cheers to what the future holds for true craft!”

As an added anniversary gift to their fans, Stone Brewing is also rebrewing Stone 5th Anniversary IPA, Stone 10th Anniversary IPA and Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA.  These landmark and fan-favorite IPAs will be available exclusively alongside Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA in the Stone Anniversary IPA Collection four-pack beginning the week of September 12.

Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA officially rolls out on August 8 in Alabama, Florida and throughout Stone Brewing Co.’s national distribution footprint.  This very limited offering will be available on draft and in 22 oz. bottles for the initial release and then again in the Stone Anniversary IPA Collection four-pack in September.  If you are a fan of amazing and innovative IPAs, you need to track down some Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA because these Anniversary IPAs rarely disappoint.  Prost!

Vital Information on Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Style – Double India Pale Ale
Release – August 8
Availability – Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft
ABV – 9%
IBUs – 80
Hops – Nugget, El Dorado, Centennial, and, of course, lots of Citra!
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA and Puerto Rico

Stone Brewing ships Stone Enjoy By 09.05.16 Unfiltered IPA

Posted on by mashingin

eb_090516_6pack_webStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) recently announced that Stone Enjoy By 09.05.16 Unfiltered IPA officially releases this week.

Stone Enjoy By 09.05.16 Unfiltered IPA is basically the Stone Enjoy By IPA that we all know and love, but this offering just leaves out that whole filtration step.  Not only does this treatment allow the “extra yeast, hop sediment and proteins that build up in beer as a natural result of the brewing process” remain in the brew, but it also amps up its “peach and tropical fruit hop flavors.”  The finished product is a hazy, 9.4% ABV Double IPA that gives you a new perspective on an old favorite.  

This beer is officially available as of Monday, August 1st.  You can look for Stone Enjoy By 09.05.16 Unfiltered IPA on draft, in 22 oz. bottles and in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida and other select markets throughout Stone Brewing’s distribution area.  “This IPA is brewed specifically NOT to last,” so be sure to get your hands (and palates) on this beer before September 5th.  Prost!

Vital Information on Stone Enjoy By 09.05.16 Unfiltered IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

ABV – 9.4%
IBUs – 90
Hops – Nugget, Super Galena, Simcoe, Delta, Target, Amarillo, Cascade, Galaxy, Citra, Nelson Sauvin, Motueka & Helga
Release Date – August 1, 2016
Packaging – Kegs, 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NV, NH, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WA